Luk Alloo: “A generation of politicians is like a humanities class. Not everyone is good at everything.” — © Dirk Kerstens
Why did you want to make a program with politicians? In recent years you have mainly been busy with other things.
Luk Alloo: “Because politics interests me. I used to make political programs for VRT, but that was more than twenty years ago. I thought this was a great opportunity to get to know the new generation of politicians.”
You ask them why we should vote for their party. Why should we watch your show?
“Because you get to know many politicians in a different way and because the conversations provide insight into the party programs. The most important questions for me were: ‘What would you do with 300 billion euros?’ ‘Which party would you vote for if your party did not exist?’ ‘Who are the good politicians in other parties?’ Some did not answer those last questions, others did. That says something about those people. One talks about his mother-in-law, another about Bruce Springsteen, someone admits that she would one day like to run a family hotel, someone admits that he knows well that his program is unfeasible. I spoke to everyone in a very open manner. I don’t want to attack anyone, I want to understand those people. This has resulted in surprising statements. Voilà, that’s why you have to look.”
And what is your conclusion after 33 conversations?
“I think we are in good hands. There is quality in this group. There are some personalities with experience and knowledge. Such a generation is of course a bit like a humanities class. Not everyone is good at everything.”
Many people will vote for extremist parties on June 9. How do you think that happens?
“Raoul Hedebouw is a nice man, Tom Van Grieken apparently the ideal son-in-law. They use a slogan-like language and they rely on the power of the one-liner: long live this, get rid of that, we must do this, we must never, we always will… That appeals to people who think that things are not going well and that is often the people who are really not doing well. When Raoul says: make the rich pay for the crisis, that sounds good. Raoul forgets to mention that ten percent of the richest Belgians pay fifty percent of the taxes. Raoul knows that, but doesn’t say it. Still, I would like to see him and Jos D’Haese in a negotiation. They would soon come to the conclusion – and along with them their voters – that much of their program is not feasible. Maybe then they will learn to be a little more honest.”
Does this also apply to Vlaams Belang?
“I don’t think we can continue to exclude all voters from the Interest. I know that many political scientists and political journalists disagree, but at some point you have to pull the fuse. The politicians of Vlaams Belang represent 800,000 citizens. Inject Tom Van Grieken and Filip de Winter with warmth and the poetry of Phil Bosmans and Nick Cave. Talk to them and perhaps everyone will soon notice that their program is also not feasible. Look at Wilders: he has been negotiating for six months, he has already watered down his program infinitely and he is still nowhere. If it were an election now, would he still win?”
Are you often annoyed by politics?
“The most shocking image of the political year was Kristof Calvo abstaining from the vote on the asbestos dossier and Valerie Van Peel standing up and saying: “Do you still call yourself representatives of the people?” That face of Calvo who realizes: I am on the wrong side of history. I thought that was a symbolic image of what goes wrong in politics. For me, Valerie Van Peel is a top political talent. And she left because of the slowness and clumsiness of politics, the inability to work together, the urge to only work against each other.”
Luk Alloo: “The slow system of politics is not for me.” — © Dirk Kerstens
Many people also feel cheated. Politicians don’t do what they promise.
“I’m still waiting for the politician who will say very honestly: ladies and gentlemen, we are not doing well. Who finally dares to tell the truth?”
Bart De Wever does that.
“Yes, De Wever does that, but he does so much. Sometimes he makes fun of the situation, sometimes he is very emotional, he calls all other parties incompetent, he no longer gets along with almost anyone… This attitude loses the core of his message. I am waiting for someone who will say very modestly and honestly: ‘Dear Flemish people, the Flemish government can only spend 60 billion euros annually, we simply cannot solve all the problems with that.’ That takes more courage than continuing to promise things that you know you cannot deliver.”
Would you like to go into politics yourself?
“The slow system is not for me. I can’t stand the idea that you would rather work against each other than give a good idea a chance. Almost all parties focus on the same ten themes and there are really no 148 options for tackling those ten program points. Then I think: just sit together like real statesmen, find connections and solve as many problems as possible with the limited budget.”
Luk Alloo during the editing of the videos: “I spoke with some politicians for two hours.” — © Dirk Kerstens
Alloo’s questions to Alloo
Luk Alloo’s answers to some questions he himself asked the politicians.
What would you do with 300 billion?
“Everyone from 0 to 23 years old must be supported. Crèches, education, sufficient teachers, training, social and psychological care… And the 1.1 million people over 80 must have a pleasant old age: better residential care centers, more people to care for them, more variety and fun in their lives. ”
Who is your hero?
“I have no heroes. (thinks for a long time) Or maybe…I felt bad for Obama. I expected him to be able to connect the Americans. I had hoped that he would say more often: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, these are difficult times, take care of each other, visit your neighbor.’ But ultimately he failed in that connection.”
Which people do we need in this society?
“People who create cohesion, who wash the jerseys of the football team, who do volunteer work for children and associations, people who clean abandoned graves, pick up litter… But above all we need strong leaders who encourage these people, who can build a community connect and make it better.”
If you weren’t making TV shows, what would you be doing?
“Half of the politicians say teaching. That’s what I say too. I have had some good teachers who pushed me through my high school, who inspired me. I did my best for them. I would like to be that kind of teacher myself.”
What relaxes you the most.
“My work relaxes me. I don’t know stress. Only if I only have two hours to make a one-hour program in a foreign prison, then I am nervous. But for the rest: everything can be redone. I have also been considering the possibility that I am working on my last program for thirty years. I always have a plan B and C. That brings peace.”
Do you have a life motto?
“To Johan Anthierens: ni Dieu ni maître. I do my thing. I do my best and I try to be as professional as possible, but I always do what I want.”
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